53 new Perry County COVID-19 cases in eight-day span
Fifty-three new cases of coronavirus and three additional deaths were reported in the last week (Thursday to Thursday) in Perry County, according to the Perry County Health Department.
Five new cases were reported Thursday, seven were announced on Wednesday and 20 were identified in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday alone, the health department said. The other 21 came in between Aug. 13 and 16.
However, the number of active cases continues to drop as people recover. There were 73 cases reported Thursday, down from the 109 that were active on Tuesday.
Among the new cases this week is a boy under 10 and two others are children under 13.
The new patients raise the county's overall case count to 251 - which includes 172 patients who have recovered and been released from isolation, and six people who have died.
The most recent deaths are a man in his 80s, a woman in her 80s and a man in his 90s.
Among the 53 is another employee of Pinckneyville Nursing & Rehabilitation, which brings the total number of cases at the nursing home to 40 residents and 13 employees.
Meanwhile, Perry County remains under "warning" status by the Illinois Department of Public Health because of three metrics:
Too many new cases of COVID-19. As of Thursday, Perry County's weekly rate is 274 per 100,000 (up from 161 per 100,000 last Monday and 118 per 100,000 two weeks ago, according to the IDPH). The state target is 50 or fewer cases per 100,000.
The weekly positivity rate. Perry County's rate is 18.0%, up from 12.2% a week ago and up from 10.5% two weeks ago. The state target is less than 8%.
Number of tests being done.
The newest 53 cases break down as follows: one boy under 10; a boy and girl both under 13; one male and two females under 18; eight women and five men in their 20s, four women and three men in their 30s; three men and three women in their 40s; eight women and four men in their 50s; a woman in her 60s; one woman and one man in their 70s; two women and two men in their 80s and two men in their 90s.
Perry County has had 4,432 negative test results.
The Perry County Health Department is currently monitoring the cases along with the Illinois Department of Public Health, both local hospitals and local emergency management authorities.
The patients are in isolation and working with the Perry County Health Department. Anyone with questions should call the Perry County Health Department at (618) 357-5371.
People experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for medical advice. Protect yourself and others by staying home as much as possible. Continue social distancing of 6 feet or more, avoid large groups or gatherings of people, wash your hands frequently, and use a cloth face coverings in community settings.
For any additional updates or educational information, visit the Perry County Health Department's Facebook page.
<b>SIU tracks COVID</b>
Southern Illinois University Carbondale has launched a website to report the number of active, positive COVID-19 cases of students, faculty and staff that have been confirmed by the Jackson County Health Department. Check it out at siu.edu/coronavirus/active-cases.php.